VATICAN (SE): Pope Francis called on every parish and religious house in Europe to adopt at least one refugee family on September 6.

He said that as the United Nations is reporting that a record number of people are pressing on the borders of European countries, mostly from war-torn Syria, Eritrea and Afghanistan, it would make a big difference.

“Every parish, every religious community, every monastery, every sanctuary of Europe, take in one family,” Pope Francis requested.

As we witness the “tragedy of tens of thousands of refugees who flee death in conflict and hunger and are on a journey of hope,” the pope said, “the gospel calls us to be close to the smallest and to those who have been abandoned.”

The pope recalled the mercy of Mother Teresa, whose feast day fell on September 5. “The mercy of God is recognised through our work, as we have witnessed the life of the Blessed,” he said.

“Hope is combative, with the tenacity of those on their way towards a safe destination… Every parish, every religious community, every monastery, every sanctuary of Europe, should host a family—starting with my diocese of Rome. The two parishes in the Vatican are preparing to welcome two families of refugees.”